as in classic
constituting, serving as, or worthy of being a pattern to be imitated
Helen of Troy was supposedly the quintessential beauty of the ancient world
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Recent Examples of quintessential
The former second overall pick out of Duke has become the quintessential journeyman.
—
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
Roanoke is the quintessential outdoorsy city, tucked in the Blue Ridge Mountains, with access to the Appalachian Trail and the Virginia Creeper Trail.
—Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 22 Apr. 2026
Flying cars – the quintessential technology used by pop culture to portray a distant future.
—Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
This quintessential Midwestern native (Echinacea purpurea) remarkably adapts to changing weather by growing shorter in drought conditions and taller in more ideal conditions.
—Teresa Woodard, Midwest Living, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for quintessential
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
Roanoke is the quintessential outdoorsy city, tucked in the Blue Ridge Mountains, with access to the Appalachian Trail and the Virginia Creeper Trail.
—Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 22 Apr. 2026
Flying cars – the quintessential technology used by pop culture to portray a distant future.
—Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
This quintessential Midwestern native (Echinacea purpurea) remarkably adapts to changing weather by growing shorter in drought conditions and taller in more ideal conditions.
—Teresa Woodard, Midwest Living, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for quintessential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quintessential
Adjective
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Beachy handbags, light jackets, classic pearls, chunky boots—your choice of accompaniments can take things from romantic to edgy to eclectic.—
Kelsey Stiegman,
Glamour,
28 Apr. 2026
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Many vintage fashion enthusiasts and Lilly Pulitzer collectors specifically seek out white label pieces for their classic prints, silhouettes, and legacy value.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The White House correspondents will also hand out awards for exemplary reporting.—
David Bauder,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
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Over in Audubon Park, same date, same time, Mellow Market will be holding things down on the corner of East Winter Park Road and Corrine Drive, steps from Stardust Coffee & Film, and nearby strongholds like East End Market, The Salty and the exemplary Coro restaurant.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The vision conceived by museum director and Chief Executive Michael Govan and architect Peter Zumthor is not perfect, and brings with it a modest set of frustrations, but as a whole, the installation registers as ravishing and bracingly fresh.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
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Columbines are perfect for gardeners seeking quick, stunning blooms without long waits.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Billy Idol, their frontman, was a member of the Bromley Contingent, an influential cluster of Pistols acolytes on the early punk scene, alongside Siouxsie Sioux and the archetypal model Soo Catwoman.—
Alex Robert Ross,
Pitchfork,
5 Apr. 2026
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This archetypal hamburger and shake joint, founded in September 1956, initially had a long counter and about four tables.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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State Republican lawmakers didn’t offer definitive assessments of the map on Monday.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
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The story behind sports’ most universal gesture is a genuine historical mystery with at least two credible origin claims, a handful of murkier ones and no definitive answer.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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This premise, bolstered by excellent performances all around, could easily have sustained a totally enjoyable TV show.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
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Both strikers demand attention from defenders but are excellent off-the-ball runners too.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Quintessential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quintessential. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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